How Cape Town Is Coping With Its Worst Drought on Record

February 5, 2018—In Cape Town, South Africa, a three-year drought—the worst on record—has reservoirs below 26 percent of capacity. "Day Zero," when tap water shuts off, hits at about 13.5 percent. Predicted to happen in May water rations then become mandatory, and halved, to just 25 liters a day—less than a four-minute shower. As citizens stock up on bottled water, the government warns against price gauging. Lines wait to fill containers from public distribution points. On Day Zero, just 200 sites will have to serve everyone. Western Cape province premier Helen Zille compares the challenge to a city at war.READ: Why Cape Town Is Running Out of Water, and Who’s Next

How Cape Town Is Coping With Its Worst Drought on Record

February 5, 2018—In Cape Town, South Africa, a three-year drought—the worst on record—has reservoirs below 26 percent of capacity. "Day Zero," when tap water shuts off, hits at about 13.5 percent. Predicted to happen in May water rations then become mandatory, and halved, to just 25 liters a day—less than a four-minute shower. As citizens stock up on bottled water, the government warns against price gauging. Lines wait to fill containers from public distribution points. On Day Zero, just 200 sites will have to serve everyone. Western Cape province premier Helen Zille compares the challenge to a city at war.READ: Why Cape Town Is Running Out of Water, and Who’s Next